Scene #8956: GFF: Finale

Owner	Pose
Kale Hearthward	SPIRE CITY, GALE EMPIRE The invitation says, 6 PM at the warpgate plaza for pickup, to be escorted to the Kingside Castling airship for dinner and discussion with Emperor Gale II. And indeed there is, essentially, a limousine airship waiting to pick everyone up. The seating is comfortable and spacious, the ride is smooth, and there's a fully stocked minibar. The windows give a great view of Spire City... ... including the giant, construction-in-progress capital airship that dinner will be taking place on... ... and... what looks like some fire damage to parts of the city that wasn't there before. The streets are quiet and still, unusually so. There's a few civilians out and about. There's more than a few law enforcement units patrolling the streets. "Thank you all for coming," says Kale, shortly after the limo flight starts. He pauses, focusing. "I can confirm that the driver isn't listening in, and if there's bugs in the cabin she's not aware of it." "I feel like this is our last best shot at... resolving all of this, using our words. The next step, if we're forced to take it, is using actions. I'd like it to not go that far, but... the current status quo is not acceptable, either." "Are we all on the same page?"
Hibiki Tachibana	It may be surprising - or not at all - to see that one Tachibana Hibiki is part of the proceedings here. Aside from a stray bandage or three on her face, she seems mostly healed up and thus presentable. As presentable as you can be when you're going to a royal dinner in a tanktop, jacket, and shorts anyway. But she did ask Kale to come way back when (not really that long ago), and so she's here now. Because she, too, has a vested interest in making Emperor Gale II see some sense. "Thanks for letting me come," is the first thing she says to Kale, and she means it - even though her eyes are out the window. From the high vantage point afforded by their transport, her focus is set on the silent streets and on the fire damage scorching parts of Spire City. Her arms fold up over her chest. "Same page. Yeah. I want him to listen. I'm hoping he will-- and that he'll remember me, too." Well, she did make a pretty dramatic entrance in the past, so chances are good. "He has to understand that he's going to become his own worst enemy if he keeps trying to do things this way." Hibiki exhales audibly, then her eyes shift to Kale. "...And if he doesn't, I'll be there for the 'actions', like it or not, and see if that's what it takes to make him stop and think about where the Gale Empire is headed. So yeah. I'm with you the whole way." There's a nod, and then her head shifts again. "...What happened down there?"
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan is quiet, for once. He's wearing a better version of a local outfit. He has shelled out a bit of money for a proper version in turquiose for this meeting. He's swimming in anxiety, emotions he's trying to keep locked away, the struggle to find his path. Where is the line between compassion and rebellion? He isn't surprised by the fires. But there is an understanding. A flicker in his eyes. He is not someone asking them to set fires. But... can he be that person for them? Is he strong and brave enough? He knows he wants to be. A nod from his window seat. "We are. I wanna believe he's a good person. And... didn't want to have people have to fight our battles." He snorts, "A year ago I woulda been in there first thing, trying to charge through airships again. Shouting for them to tear down the houses of nobles." A puff of breath. He sits back against the cushion, picking at a few nuts from the mini bar. "I'm ready." Well, maybe not. But, he has to step up. So he might as well lie to himself. "I can't let them do it alone." "Thanks for letting me come. "Oh, yea." He nods towards Kale, "Thanks. For the trust. It means a lot." "What happened down there?" "Riot, I figure. Lots of police, fire, and not enough people out." Aidan shakes his head. "Best I can figure, he's gonna wanna save face, maybe he just wants an out." More stories he's telling himself. He wants to believe, for everyone's sake. He wants to have faith in his desire not to hate anyone.
Ishirou	Ishirou is there to be picked up on time, he steps into the limo airship to be picked up and taken to the affair. Ishirou is in a short-sleeved teal button-up with a tailored black sleeveless formal jacket on top, almost close to an understated corset, with a few silver buttons along the sides. The somewhat taller collar is matched by a cravat, with a small and simplistic silver brooch. This continues down into a matching half-skirt over black shorts, the front of the skirt open and only continuing down to a bit below the knee, and the lining is done in that same teal. A short black mantle is draped across his shoulders, with a teal 'cybernetic' design inlay and a silver chain holding it together. He has black ankle boots with a few straps along the front and more buttons and a pair of fingerless gloves with a similar inlay to the mantle. In the Limo he's quiet and paying attention to Kale, though he'll wave towards Hibiki as they drive along, giving her a soft smile and a nod. Perhaps thanks for being here. Kale gets a similar smile, but more for supporting his goals and approach this way instead of a fight. The look he gives Aidan is more flat, but not unfriendly...just more anxious than the others. "Right, we'll do this. We'll talk him down from this path. We don't want to see this world become like the one we saw during the mystery dungeon..." he says with a grim tone. This has to be the way things change. He believes in that with all of his heart.
Kale Hearthward	> "...What happened down there?" "... I don't know. I- hmm..." Kale focuses, bringing one hand up to his forehead. Then he winces, and drops his hand back to his side. "No - too far to read, too many voices, I - can't single out anyone. Ugh. I need a drink." THE KINGSIDE CASTLING ... is still being built. But it's a lot closer to being finished than starting. And more importantly for tonight, there's some parts that are finished enough. There's an internal docking bay that the limousine glides into, and from there an escort awaits (two soldiers, two servants) to bring the group down a string of hallways, and into an impressive dining room, with a footprint as large as a residential house, despite the comparatively small table in the center of the room being sized for eight people, with seatings set for five. The soldiers wait outside, the servants go in - and the group is all shown to seats on one side of the table, with the one empty spot on the other side. Water is poured, followed by red wine, and salads and a variety of (vegan) appetizers are placed throughout the table in a luxurious spread. And then, the servants leave, disappearing into a side room, and then - nothing, for a minute. And then the Emperor enters, from the door opposite the one the party arrived through. He enters without fanfare but with his regalia on - crown, robes, and wooden mask that's carved in the likeness of a stylized eagle's face. "Welcome." "I hope the flight over was comfortable, and the appetizers meet your standards." "I understand we are here to discuss current matters, and we can get to that, but I would quite like to make sure you all feel welcome, and that we are all bargaining with open hands and no secrets. I've met you all personally before, some more than once, or a long time ago..." The mask-wearing eagle seems to focus on Hibiki. "Our efforts to industrialize Camembert Way." And then to Ishirou and Aidan. "Or more recently." And then to Kale. "Or - several times, during your long history serving the Empire." The robes come off, draped across the back of his chair. The crown gets placed on a small velvet-lined side table that seems set up for that purpose. "But really, we've all met in more ways than that." He reaches up to the wooden mask. Kale's breath catches. "Are you sure?" "The deception has served its purpose," says the Emperor, and pulls the wooden mask off, also setting it to one side. Underneath is a face identical to the Emperor's chief engineer, and Kale's ex-fiancee... Zephyr.
Ishirou	Ishirou takes his glass of water and sips it, while also nibbling at the appetizers set out for them. He's trying to maintain proper decorum, while also trying to observe hospitality to the best of his ability. He stops when the emperor comes in, and places his fork down to wait for the man to introduce himself. "We've never met before..." Ishirou says, though taken aback when he says they have met. He lets it play on until the mask is taken off... and the reveal is made. He looks at Kale, wondering why his psychics didn't pick it up, but he might just have never had the opportunity to focus it on Zephyr. "Well, I stand corrected... we have met..." he says, strangely and looks over at Kale who would be most affected by this. He tries to offer support, but right now things are too serious for him to focus entirely on Kale. "That would explain your desire and your focus on building the airship." "As well as your desire to make this happen and not listen to the plight of the Quicknestians... because you had already made up your mind." "So what happened below? There appears to have been a civil dispute..." he asks, trying to tie threads together.
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan nods at Ishirou's great fit, giving him a thumbs up, but not commenting on it. He sees the more anxious look and holds up his hands. "Best behavior." And, indeed, Aidan is trying to be on his best behavior. No wine, just water. Enough food to be polite, but this many different things going on is giving Aidan his own anxiety. Thankfully, most of the fare is light on the stomach. When the Emperor enters, Aidan tries to be on his best behavior. Treat him like someone who could be a friend, or at least don't treat him like an enemy. You both love this kingdom. "It was very comfortable, thank you, your Imperial Majesty. It's good of ya to meet with us." He might be laying it on a bit thick, but it's in earnest. A frown. He had tried to take the Emperor at face value all this time. Don't look into anything deeper. When the mask comes off finally comes off, Aidan's eyebrows climb into his forehead. He immediately glances at Kale with concern, frowning, then back. "I guess I already punched the Emperor a couple times," Aidan mutters to himself before lifting his voice, "Why? Why the disguise?"
Hibiki Tachibana	Ishirou gets a nod back, and a small smile-- glad to see him, for sure. Kale's mention of not knowing what actually happened gets Hibiki frowning though, glancing back out the window. "Riots, huh..." She echoes Aidan's thoughts, letting out a low rumble from her throat. "...Maybe." She won't say anything more on it right this moment. They have a dinner to get to first. High life and luxury aren't really something that meshes with her very well; she obviously feels out of place in a dining room like this, along with the spread put in front of them. Rather than going for any of them, she sits back in her seat and crosses her arms up, taking in the silence that passes once all the servants are gone. And then, he's here. "...Emperor Gale II." She nods, since she /does/ feel welcome, even if out of her element, and meets the stare behind the mask when he settles it on her. "So you do remember. I'm glad." He should know exactly what she's about, then. That'll help. What she doesn't understand is what follows that - meeting in more ways? And why is he taking off...? Even once the mask comes off, Hibiki doesn't immediately understand. Her mind has been on the meeting with the Emperor back then-- but now, it flashes to an encounter that happened /after/ that. During an airdrop to retrieve a machine that fell into the Watch's hands... the eagle they met there-- Being nice about getting people to move hasn't worked - it just got you all in here making things worse - and what's left? I'm not going to give up, not when I can make all this work - bring things to a bright future, one where I bring this land, this whole continent to happiness and prosperity. I can see it. I can grasp it... ... I'm the right arm of the emperor. I make things - plans, ideas, inventions, and I'm here, in his stead, to make things right - starting with keeping you from making things worse! "You're... Zephyr!?" Hibiki is surprised enough that she actually half-leaves her chair, hands on the table. After a shocked blink, her eyes turn to Kale. "Did you--?" ...Know? If anyone did, it'd have to have been him, right? But wouldn't he have mentioned it if he did...? Back to the Emperor - Zephyr - Hibiki spends a moment being slack-jawed before she finds words again, furrowing her brow. "...The Emperor I spoke to, and the Zephyr I fought with..." "...You sure go by a lot of names, don't you?"
Kale Hearthward	"I knew," said Kale, when Ishirou gives him a look. And then when Hibiki gives him another look, he explains further. "Up until recently, I was still tangentially allied with the Empire, and didn't see a need to reveal it. After that changed... there just wasn't a good time to talk about it, after keeping it to myself for so long. If I felt it was going to matter, I would have, though." The emperor fields Ishirou's question. "The plight of the Quicknestians... well, they had put themselves in that plight. And I am keeping their plight in mind here, remember? A stronger Empire benefits the whole continent." Then he gives Aidan a skeptical look. "As to why - security, obviously. You are a member of an organization diametrically opposed to the Gale Empire, are you not? Tell me - if you knew I was the emperor when I was Zephyr, would you have taken action then? Some sort of kidnapping plot? Or just a straight up assassination attempt? Maybe one of your party would be shoving a nuclear bomb down my throat and holding onto the trigger to take me and everyone around me hostage." "The multiverse, if you hadn't noticed, is full of awful people wanting to do awful things. That's what this is all about. Doctor Eggman was the first. He will not be the last. The next one might not stop at our borders." "That's why we have to take moves to protect ourselves, and if some people need to spend some years in stasis inside robots in order to shore up security for everyone - well, that is the track I've chosen to take for that particular trolley problem." "I'm baring my feelings as well as my face to you here: these are the stakes we face. If I've done that, and you insist that I won't listen or don't care, if we're going to end up just shouting across the table again, then really this whole meeting was for naught, wasn't it?"
Ishirou	'The multiverse, if you hadn't noticed, is full of awful people wanting to do awful things.' Ishirou can't deny that comment, so wanting to keep his identity a secret doesn't come across as all that crazy. Gale admitting he knew causes him to pause, and then he puts two and two together. "That's why you..." he pauses and then sighs. "Right, I understand..." he says to Kale, and then he focuses on Zephyr. "They didn't put themselves into the robots, but you're right we're not here to shout at each other across the table, we're here to talk. So let's talk..." He sighs and takes a moment to gather his thoughts. "You are right, that the multiverse has awful people in it. Some of those people even are part of the organization that two people here are a part of. The one you mentioned had also destroyed my home... or at least made sure I could never return. Some of that was my fault, but if he had never interfered we would have made change for the better." He sighs again, and speaks, "But there are other forces that aren't like that. And you can't face the multiverse alone either. Facing it in the way you are threatening to now will do more damage to the Empire than not... I am sure that's why the doctor gave you the robots. To make sure you would do that, and push this land closer towards destruction..." "I can't ask you to stop everything you are doing right now and trust blindly in the Commonwealth, but working WITH those who are putting their hands out is better than trying to unify through force. Because the moment you're weak enough the Doctor will come back and..." he pauses, "Might bring friends this time."
Aidan Proudpick	"I knew," "It don't change much," Aidan nods towards him. "As to why..." "I'm the Watchman in the area. It's my decision how things go. But I ain't that person anymore. I could see myself living here. I spent weeks, learning to love this kingdom." He shakes his head, "Kidnapp-well, maybe back then." He leans forward, "But Assassination? What is a nuclear bomb? And then what? Leave everyone to a civil war?" Things file into his head. Paranoid. He nods towards Ishirou, "You are gonna be fighting Quicknest rebels times two, and Clawkatka is gonna have a LOT more firepower." Trolley problem, wince. Aidan folds his arms, trying to think. Compromise. He looks towards where the fire damage would be if a window isn't nearby. "The people of your Empire don't want this. And the people of your Empire are being squeezed." A consideration, "When you were the chief engineer, did you go out and talk to people?"
Hibiki Tachibana	"...I see," Hibiki says to Kale, slowly moving to sit back down. He's not exactly wrong; what would it have changed in the end? It sure wouldn't have altered how things went in the past. And it probably wouldn't alter her approach now. As surprising as it is, it even makes sense that the Emperor would be moonlighting as 'Chief Engineer' Zephyr. Even beyond just security concerns. As he goes on, her eyes drift to the side and down. Not looking at him, but clearly attentive-- soaking in every word, in fact. Her lips are pursed, all the way up until the last thing he says. "...No. It's not meaningless." Her eyes close as she shakes her head. And after a moment, she turns to look at him properly again with a level stare. "Thank you. For meeting with us to talk. And for putting enough trust in us to reveal this to us. You're coming earnest and without hiding anything, so I want to, too." Hibiki takes in a breath. "You love your people. And you love your Empire. You'll do anything to protect them. Anything. ...I understand that. I even know how it feels." Sitting back up a little straighter, a hand comes up over her chest. "I can't imagine how hard it must be to be on that throne. Knowing that all of that is your duty to defend. that you're the one responsible for it... while also knowing there are people out there who could take it all away in an instant, if they wanted to." Her eyes go fall away again, like she's trying to find the words she wants to say. It doesn't seem like she rehearsed anything in advance; it's all coming out on the spot. "...Like that, a few unlucky people having to suffer for a bit longer must seem like a small price to pay." "But," Hibiki sets her sights on him again. "I want to ask you the same thing I asked you back then. Do you think the way everything has gone is right? Do you think it's the only thing you can do? I don't blame you for wanting to protect your kingdom, all of its people, even the whole continent. You /should/ be doing that. But like this?" "...Using what's basically slaves, you'll lose support you already have, like the Commonwealth. You might even lose some of the support of your own; what even happened with those fires in the city? I know you have total faith in your own creations, your own ingenuity, and I'm not doubting how great your creations are--" "--But what'll happen when you /do/ run into problems you can't handle all by yourself? That just one gargantuan airship wouldn't be able to stop? Showing off how strong you are isn't the only way to protect yourself...!"
Kale Hearthward	There is a convenient window. It's inconveniently pointed in a direction not showing any fire damage, but Aidan's point is none the less made by glancing towards it. Zephyr/Augustus/The Emperor listens. "Indus..." "... Was also the result of Eggman reaching out his hand 'to help' originally, wasn't it. You're right." Then to Aidan. "I did." He brightens up a little, and tone-shifts. This sounds more like Zephyr now, to those who have spoken to both personas. "It's nice. To get out and not be constrained by being the Emperor. Getting to see things that I'd otherwise need a whole security detail and escort for. And people are so guarded, too." "I don't actually like being Emperor much? But if I don't, then someone else will, and they'll do a worse job at it. That's me being specific by the way, the next three people in line for the mask are very much not suited for leadership." And then Hibiki speaks. "... I see." "No, honestly, I don't think how everything's gone is right. That's why I called it a trolley problem - it's not about finding the best option, it's about finding the least worst option." "So - this is... a trap. Set by Eggman. We take the robots, and we end up tearing ourselves apart, from the inside and from the outside." "... But the damage has already been done, hasn't it? We already are..." He glances out the window. "Having some... troubles." "Is there a way out of this?"
Ishirou	"Yes, Indus," Ishirou agrees. "He didn't reach his hand out to help, though he framed it as that. He did it to spite me and did it in the most horrific way possible to the humans that lived there, including ones that had nothing to do with the systemic violence wielded against the Androids. His 'heavy-handed' aid was no different than here..." 'Is there a way out of this?' "I can say there might be, but it won't be easy. If you want suggestions I can provide them, I can even provide long-term projections and summaries. It... happens to be a skill of mine to be able to do this." he says and takes a moment to sit back and evaluate. "You already know what the current path is. What is likely to happen, as I've already elaborated on this, and what the Doctor is planning on. The next is if you freed the Quicknestians... and you are right your progression into a new technological age will be hindered. You'll remain in danger from those malefactors on the outside in the Multiverse but would remain in a position to gain an alliance with the Commonwealth. More than that, you're local problems would settle out... and your support at home would increase." "I can provide more projections based on what you may want to do, but... those are the two that you seem to be dealing with now. I can't promise to do without the Quicknestians will let you advance as much as you would like, but you have to balance that with what will happen if you do." "I also have suggestions you could make, but I am a biased source. So I won't put it forward unless you want me to," he says calmly. He means joining the Commonwealth long term. "Freeing the Quicknestians, and letting them go back home would be the best decision in my opinion. Given your current choices."
Aidan Proudpick	Huh, Zephyr is actually happy to go about. And talk. This guy isn't as bad as he thought. A breakthrough. Aidan smiles. This is possible. Something is going to happen. His smile is sunny again, then... the questions of leadership. Aidan looks back towards the Emperor, now less guarded, less anxious. "Free the Quicknesters. They put a huge target on your back. And they ain't making your people happy. Next..." He looks at Ishirou, then back at the Emperor. "But it's not just that." Aidan pulls out his tablet, bringing up a media file. It's Ishirou's raw footage of the world destroyed, a world that crumbled under its own weight. He slides it across the table towards the Emperor. "If all you do is free the Quicknesters, all you are gonna get is people still struggling, political struggles, money struggles. This doesn't happen from JUST a war." "I don't want this kingdom to collapse. I want to... I want to live here, I want its people to be proud of it."
Hibiki Tachibana	Having the Emperor actually hear them out is a relief. A huge one. He was honest about meeting them head-on. The way she practically slumps back down into her seat from the half-stand she had taken speaks volumes. She can only imagine Kale must feel similarly, for his worries from before. Of course, the responsibility of finding a solution together is what comes next. "There aren't really any best options," she agrees and admits. "But there are definitely 'least worst' ones than this, I think. I'm... not really suited for thinking like an Emperor, myself. I dunno everything that goes into it, or politics, or... anything like that." Hibiki pauses briefly. "But I can get protecting people, and having no choice but to do it yourself." She lets Ishirou, as the resident brainiac, state his case; probably for the best, given the Gale Empire still currently is a Commonwealth asset, so it makes sense to hear the spread from a Paladin rather than her. It's after he's done that she inhales-exhales to speak. "Right. Even if it means losing out on capable workers, I think freeing everyone who's been captured is the best thing to do. You'll need more help to make up for it, especially if you want to keep bringing modern amenities everywhere you can... which means allies who can assist you." She needs another bracing breath before she continues. This kind of talk really is stress on her brain. "...I wanna recommend trying to establish good relations with Skyrah. As a new country still getting their foot governing themselves, they'll need trade partners and a working relation with their neighbors." Like the Gale Empire. "They can get assistance coming into their own, and they can offer what aid they can to the Empire in return." "The same way, you can try and push for a deeper bond with Huaban-- and the Yinghua Empire. They're also going to take months to properly get their outpost city going, and I think they'd be open to some mutually beneficial agreements just the same way. It's not offering aid for nothing; it's propping each other up when you both need help." "...Camembert Way and Quicknest... those were one thing. You said yourself back then; it all could've been handled better. But after everything, now this is an opportunity to start over with the other powers around you - and instead of worrying they'll take advantage of you, you can all be better together."
Kale Hearthward	"I'll take those projections if you're offering them..." He looks surprised at Aidan giving his heartfelt support of the Empire... ... And then Aidan slides the tablet over. The Emperor glances at it. "... Who did this to them?" "You weren't listening?" says Kale. "They did this to themselves." The hawk sits up. "I want to make something clear," says Kale. "I'm not about to let that happen here. Let the Gale Empire, Skyrah, anywhere in this world, collapse under itself. I'd rather see the Gale Empire destroyed than let it rot like that." "So while I'm glad we're talking, I'm letting you know that not talking, not coming to some solution, is... not acceptable. That's the stakes right now." "I... see," says the Emperor. And then to Hibiki. He listens. He nods. "That makes a lot of sense - especially Skyrah being a route to trading with Huaban..." "... And... yeah. Handling it better." "... Alright. I've made a decision. We'll hand over the robots to Qu- to Skyrah."
Ishirou	Ishirou takes a save of his projections and puts it into a PAD-like object. He slides it across the table for later, so that the Emperor can review it at his leisure too, but what he said was what was on the PAD, as well as projections for the future. Projections that take them closer to other factions in the Multiverse, and ones that take them into isolation. '... Alright. I've made a decision.' With handing over the robots to Skyrah, it would be a big first step towards helping people out, and away from slavery and isolation. "You've made a wise decision..." he says, taking a breath, "And not an easy one..." he also says with a long breath. "I thank you for deciding to do this..."
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan breathes out slowly. He nods. He can't provide a home for them. He sags back in his seat, leaning his head back. Terror exits Aidan's body. Anxiety, tension, worry, most of the emotions that Aidan was struggling to tamp down, flow out of him. He leaps up to his feet, overflowing with joy. "That's great! Thank you, your Highness!" A beam at everyone else, at Ishirou and Hibiki, who did the heaviest of the talking in Aidan's mind, at Kale, then back at the Emperor. He lifts up his glass of wine. "You'll see. It'll be hard, but, your people will thank you!"
Hibiki Tachibana	Hibiki is, perhaps understandably, back to tensing up a bit. Even if he's listening and listening closely at that, this is still a negotiation that'll decide the fate of a whole Empire. Aidan's support, Ishirou's logic, Kale's determination to make sure history doesn't repeat itself... ...ends in the best response she could have asked for. She almost looks disbelieving at first-- before leaning back against her seat and breaking out of her stunned expression with a (mentally) tired but wide smile. "...Augustus..." Well, maybe she shouldn't be on a previous-name-basis with the Emperor, but she's grateful enough to totally forget that right now. "...Thanks. For listening to us. And for caring about your Empire as much as you do." When she gets herself back together, the smile is still there-- in her eyes, at least. "I really think it'll be the first big step towards things getting better. Really, really moving that way. For you, for your people, and everyone around you." There's a moment where she pauses to consider... ...even if everything around Quicknest was awful, there's still good that might come from it. "And if Eggman ever does actually come knocking," Hibiki says while punching a hand into her palm. "He won't just have you and them to worry about. You'll have a lot of people at your back, including me - and you know real well just how persistent I can be."
Kale Hearthward	"I'm taking a lot of things on trust here," says the Emperor. "... But, yes, you all made a compelling argument. About Eggman's 'support'. About what might happen if we go ahead with our current course. And about our alternatives." "It will be hard. So I will be taking to heart the promises made here..." he nods to Hibiki. "... And that you truly are going to support your new homeland," he says to Aidan. "Though, for now..." He reaches over, and puts his mask back on. "Let's have dinner, shall we?" He rings a bell, and the servants pile in with trays full of food. (All vegan, of course.)